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Tow Group - Does It Change the look of the Cherokee ?

5K views 20 replies 13 participants last post by  DarkZephyr 
#1 ·
Our vehicle is almost in our city, for delivery in a few weeks.

It has Tow Group optioned onto it (not our choice, came with the car they ordered) - what I'm curious about is, does it change the look of the bumper (i.e. cutouts, etc) ? We don't have a towbar per se, but understand that the option changes the final drive ratio and adds an engine cooler or something similar and has the infrastructure for a towbar/harness, etc if you wish to.
 
#2 ·
I have the Trailhawk on order with Tow Group as well. I actually appreciate the look of the rear with the Tow Hitch in the back. With the factory installed tow group it fits seamlessly in the rear bumper pretty much flush with the vehicle and taking the place of a pre-cut Trailhawk logo on the center bumper. It is said the rear suspension is also a little different to handle loads. Don't know if it affects comfort and stability though. I actually saw a limited with an aftermarket on the bottom of the vehicle yesterday and it looked pretty bad seeing the entire hitch tubing on the bottom of rear bumper making it a clearly visible added on accessory. You won't be disappointed with yours. Even if I didn't need mine to tow My motorcycle I would have still gotten it just for the look. :)
 
#3 ·
I have the Factory Tow group on my 14' Limited.
For $500 bucks (USA) its a bargain. Hitch and all the wiring installed, ready to go.
If you need trailer brakes the wiring is there. Just add a brake controller and matching jumper (the wiring is left of the steering wheel under the dash area.
You also get a full size spare tire.
It looks great slightly recessed into the bumper area.
 
#6 ·
Cherokee63, thank you - that's what I was looking for.....well to be honest it doesn't look too bad at all - I thought it's be a messy afterthought, but even without a towball, etc it still looks decent ! :)
 
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#7 ·
Also, someone on another forum in Australia has got tow group and looks like his is below the bumper, which I'm not sure I'm a fan of (scraping) - unless any other Aussies with Tow Group can show me otherwise...
 
#9 ·
We just ordered a '15 Limited with the tow package as well. It has become a standard option that we try to get with most of our vehicles for the added coolers/HD electrical bits. However, from what I can tell the Cherokee doesn't come with most of the upgrades that you find on other vehicles. But then again, it's about half the price too. We have no plans to tow (we're getting the 2.4L), but we like the receiver hitch for our bike rack, and we really wanted a full size spare.
 
#11 ·
Just found out today that we have Tow Group but if we choose to get towbar, etc - that can be done down the track (which I don't think we will, it's just nice to have).
 
#14 ·
From my point of view and coming from a mechanics background, this is one of the best bargains you can order for your new Jeep and based on the literature I have been able to find this package includes,
(3.2L engine, 4x4 models)
1) Heavy Duty Cooling System (already included with Trailhawk package)
2) Auxiliary Transmission Cooler
3) Factory wiring harness 4 and 7 pin (no chance of some aftermarket shop making a mess of your new jeeps wiring! Believe me, I have seen some serious hack jobs over the years.)
4) Factory installed hitch
5) Increased Axle ratio from 3.2** to 3.5**
6) Full size Spare Tire
7) and for TH models, a offroad recovery kit
If you added the cost of all these items it would easily be many times the cost of the factory option.
Also, one of the worst things for the life of an automatic transmissions is overheating and anything you can do to prevent that from happening is highly recommended. So far in 30yrs of vehicles, the only one I have ever had trans problems with, didn't have an auxiliary cooler so as far as I'm concerned, this alone is worth the price.
 
#15 · (Edited)
Well, sort of, but not exactly....

I have the TrailHawk w/3.2l engine without the tow package and it also has the aux. trans. oil cooler (NMCP). Not sure whether it came with the TH package or the 3.2l engine. The TH also comes with the full size spare.

The higher final drive ratio tranny is important if doing lots of heavy towing, otherwise it's a drag IMHO. YMMV and your revs will be higher as a daily driver.

Desert Hiker
 
#19 ·
It comes with its own case that can mount to the utility bar. Inside is the tow rope and I believe a pair of gloves if I remember correctly. I store mine in the wheel well and have my jumper cable kit on the inside of the utility rack. I have a different kit with tow items for when I go on trails that I mount to the top rack.
 
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